Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-04-10


woman; and her art and knowledge of
the world rendered her capable of turn
ing every point to advantage. From the
hour when he came to the plantation Mrs.
DelOrme had been madly infatuated with
him; so much so that she could hardly
avoid attracting the observation Of
others. But Lsgona did not appear to
| heed her attentions. She made him many
presents, but he carelessly threw them
aside, and when she spoke to him only
answered in a monOsyllable and turned
away. This very Indifference only
seemed to fan the flames which burned in
her heart. Bat if Lagoua was really
aware Of her preference, he made not the
| slightest recognition of the fact-a mat
ter which much pleased Stella, who, from
the moment when Mrs. DelOrme had eX-
| pressed her admiration of the young
chiefs person, had noticed her conduct
/ and observed her evident partlaliCy
towards him. And though no tell tale,
yet the honor of her father was too
closely held in her heart for her not to
feel anxious that II should not be haZ-
arded by imprudent conduct on the part
OF her stepmother.
/ 1t was night, about the time stated In
the opening Of this chapter, and LagOna,
/ who had been kept st work al day, was
seated near Mrs. D>lorme, who was ask
ing him msny questions regarding his
tribe-their habits and manner of living
! These questions, although by no means
! pleasing to the taciturn chief, were an
swered briefly and respectfully by LagOna.
AS he spoke of his mountain home,
| frightened with silvery cascades aud gilt
tering streams-rendered beautiful with
flowers and moses, and grand with gray
| rocks and dark green pines, his eyes
flashed like that of the eagle in It's native
sky; and he seemed once more a tameless
monarch there.
ooh, how l should like to be thereto
ride like the wind over hill and dale-to
hunt the bounding anteloper' cried Mrs.
DelOrme.
"NO place for q squsw! Her place is
over tue pot in the WigWam!" said La
gona, in a tone Of quiet contempt, which
would have stung some women to the
soul bat she was too much blinded by
her infatuation to notice it.
1t is not fated for US to know what re-
ply she would have made to this charac
teyistic, if not gallant speech, for one of
the Mexican herdsmep, who had been be-
lated on the plains, rushed into the pres
enCe of NJ. Dalorme and told him that
Indians were close at hand; so close that
they had pressed his utmost speed, and
nearly succeeded in reaching the gate and
entering when he did.
"What means this?"crieG Mr.. DeIorme,
turning upon Iagona. 81 thought that
you said while yOu were here no Indians
would trouble me!".
"Neither the COmanChe nor the Lipsn
WILL" said Legcna. "Give me my
weapons; / will go and see who these
are"
Crust you with weapons. when you
may use them against myself? l am not
quite q fool"
''Pale faced father, I forgive you.
will 90 without Them" said the young
chief, With a mOurnfuI haughtiness: and
he left the room.
"Oh, Mr. Delorme, you cruelty wrong
the noble fellow. l would stake my life
upon his tidelity!" cried Mrs. Delorme.
"You might, madam; 1 would mott"
said Mr.. Delorme, coolly. "You Will
oblige me by minding your own business"
The whole place was now in alarm.
The herdsmen and blacks hurried like
frightened sheep to the mansion. Mr.
MahOney, who was quite brave within the
walls, commenced mastering his forces
in the main hall. Paul MaIersOn, who
had returned from Galveston, hurried to
MS old station, the tower over the gate,
taking with him 8 half dozen or more
men whom he found with arms in their
hands.
The yells of the foe could be heard
with fearful distinctness as Mr.. Delorme
stepped out upon the piazza; and he had
been there but few moments when he
heard the crashing of battering rams or
something Of the kind, at the gate. But
in a moment or two after he heard firing
there, and knew that Paul had gained his
old position. He was occupied a short
time in seeing that the men who had hur
ried to the house were made ready for
action. Then he returned to the piazza,
where his terrified wife stood with Stella,
listening to the sounds beyound the wall.
"Where IS that cursed indiana" he
cried. "Gone, l suppose, to help his
mates to butcher those who fed him!'' he
added, bitterly.
"Pale-face, the cursed Indian is here"
said LagOna. "The men who come TO
attack you are not Indians, but white
men in diguise."
The sudden appearance of LagOna by
his side, and the calmness with which he
replied to the insulting words Of Mr..
DelOrme, so unnerved the latter that for
moment he was speeches..
''HoW do you know they are white
men3" he asked, at last.
81 have been among Them" replied
Lagone. sis this red mans scalp?" he
asked, and he shook a dripping scalp,
fresh from the head of some red-haired
white man, before Mr.. Delorme's face.
"Heavens! where and how did you take
lhat?"
"From its owner, with his own knife,
for you would not let me have my Wea-
pons. l have been outside the WALL
"Forgive me, Lagona; 1 have acted
like dog toward yOu," said Mr.. De-
lorme
81 knew you had wronged him." cried
Mrs. DelCrme, in triumph.
"We've no time for talking now-.hey
are many and strong with arms. We
must fight" said Lagona. 'Give me some
men and we will climb the wall and take
them in the back. I'lI make them know
what real Indian is"
"Your plan is good, and 1 will go with
you," said Mr.. Delorme, fastening to get
picked men for the duty.
500 not put your lite in peril" said
Mrs. Delorme in low tone to Lagona.
"Death is the playmate ef warriors and
a scarecrow to squaws," said Lasona, as
he went after his own arms.
son, Heavens, what hero!" said the
infatuated woman, not needing the pres
ence of Stella.
Meanwhile, the fight at the gate had
been very hot The asSailino D9rtV with